Algeta US makes Jeffrey Albers president

Former vice president of Genzyme/Sanofi’s US haematology and oncology business to lead newly formed US division of Norwegian firm

Jeffrey Albers, former vice president of Genzyme/Sanofi's US haematology and oncology business, has been appointed president of Algeta US.

Albers takes up his position immediately, leading the newly formed US commercial operation of the Norway-based cancer therapeutic specialists.

His new role will see him manage plans to build a US-based sales force and marketing and medical affairs team ahead of the launch of prostate cancer treatment Alpharadin (radium-223 chloride).

The drug is currently pending approval from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) after being granted fast track designation for the treatment of castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) patients with bone metastases.

Alpharadin will be co-promoted in the US with Bayer, following a 2009 agreement.

Albers said: "This is a very exciting time to be joining Algeta with Alpharadin advancing through the commercialisation phase and its launch, pending approval, within sight.”

Prior to his appointment at Algeta US, he spent seven years at Genzyme, before and after its acquisition by Sanofi.

As vice president of its haematology and oncology unit he was responsible for a $250m business and a team of 135 people.

At Genzyme, he oversaw the launch of immunostimulant Mozobil (plerixafor injection) and the acquisitions of cancer treatments Campath and Leukine from Bayer.

Albers also spent five years as an attorney at the law firm Mintz Levin Cohn Ferris Glovsky & Popeo and was once a sales rep at Pfizer.

Andrew Kay, Algeta's president and CEO, said: "Jeff has established a strong track record of commercial leadership and sales success at Genzyme and he brings a broad array of commercial and corporate development experience to Algeta.”